ABSTRACT
The rectal temperature, pulse rate and quality, respiratory rate, oral mucous membrane color and moistness, and CRT can provide considerable information about patient status.
Rectal temperature Fever can be an early indication of an infection and rectal temperature should be monitored closely in any hospitalized horse. Common sites of infection include IV catheter site, URT and LRT, deep or superficial surgical site infection, and enterocolitis. Some surgical patients may have a mild fever in the early postoperative period (within 48 hours) and this may be from inflammation associated with the surgical procedure. If a horse develops a fever, all possible sites of infection should be examined and the infection site localized. Hematology and fibrinogen or serum amyloid A concentration should be measured. The IV catheter site should be examined and the catheter removed if any abnormalities are noted. A rebreathing examination should be performed. Surgical site infections can be investigated using radiographic or ultrasonographic examination, endoscopy, and/or cytology depending on the site. Culture and sensitivity testing is recommended.
